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Fiona Bruce has emerged as the favourite to replace David Dimbleby as the host of Question Time, according to sources who say BBC bosses want to give the programme a “softer” feel.

The News At Ten anchor and Antiques Roadshow presenter is understood to be the front-runner among an all-women shortlist being considered for the coveted role alongside Newsnight presenters Emily Maitlis and Kirsty Wark.

Nick Robinson, Samira Ahmed, and Victoria Derbyshire are all believed to have been ruled out after secret pilot editions of the panel show were filmed in front of live audiences in September.

A BBC insider told the Telegraph: “At the moment Fiona seems to be the favourite as the producers are keen to give the show a softer feel - although there are concerns she may not be political enough and may not want to relinquish the other work she does, such as on the Antiques Roadshow.

“Emily did very well in the audition but appeared a bit more nervous than Kirsty, who injected more of her personality into the pilot.”

David Dimbleby will step down from the show he has hosted for the past 25 years on December 13Credit:
Richard Lewisohn/BBC/PA

Another source said the potential presenters had been “kept completely in the dark” about who was going to get the job, considered the jewel in the crown of news presenter roles at the BBC.

The final decision will be taken by BBC One controller Charlotte Moore, director of news Fran Unsworth and director-general Tony Hall.

TV veteran Dimbleby will step down from the show he has hosted for the past 25 years on December 13.

Announcing his departure in June, he said: “At the end of the year I will have been chairing Question Time for a quarter of a century and I have decided that this is the right moment to leave.

BBC bosses could look to Bruce to give the political programme a “softer” feel, sources suggestedCredit:
David M. Benett/Getty Images

“It has been a privilege to work for a programme which brings voters face to face with those in power. I am grateful to the production teams and to the BBC who have made this possible.

“It has been exhilarating following the twists and turns of British politics from John Major in 1994, through the Blair and Brown years to Cameron and May. I am not giving up broadcasting.

“Instead, after years in the studio, I now plan to return to my first love: reporting.”

The search for a new presenter comes after the BBC gender pay gap scandal, which saw an embarrassing disparity between the salaries commanded by senior men and high-profile women at the corporation.

Possible successors filmed secret pilot editions of the BBC panel show in front of live audiences in SeptemberCredit:
Ian West/PA

Dimbleby’s own salary was not published, under a loophole which meant shows made by independent production companies, such as Question Time were exempt, but he is thought to be among the BBC's highest earners.

He is one of only three presenters in the history of Question Time, which was previously anchored by Peter Sissons from 1989 to 1993 and Robin Day from 1979 to 1989.

During his BBC career Dimbleby has also presented political programmes such as Panorama and chaired many debates including the Party Leaders’ debates in the run up to General Elections since 2010.

He has been the BBC’s anchorman for all General Elections since 1979 and presented the broadcaster’s coverage of the first referendum in Europe, a role he repeated in 2016 for the BBC’s coverage of the EU Referendum.

Asked in a magazine interview whether she wanted the job shortly before the vacancy was announced, Wark admitted: “I think there will be many people when David Dimbleby decides he doesn’t want to do it any longer.

“I think I will be one of them, but I’m sure lots of people will throw their hats in the ring for that.”

A BBC spokesman refused to comment. Sources said the corporation does not comment on speculation whilst the recruitment process is still ongoing.